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Home , Alexandre Letellier, Avesh Khan, Kyle Jamieson, Mauricio Pochettino, Mohammed Siraj

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WEDNESDAY 28 APRIL 2021 PSG keep their feet on the ground ahead of Manchester City clash, says Pochettino I think City are one of the greatest teams in the world with the best coach and it will be as tough as against Bayern at least. Tougher? We'll see.

Mauricio Pochettino Sport |19 NBA: Suns 118, Knicks 110; Timberwolves 105, Jazz 104; Nuggets 120, Grizzlies 96; Pelicans 120, Clippers 103; Lakers 114, Magic 103 Draw sets the stage for spectacular FIFA Arab Cup Hosts Qatar and Iraq in Group A

CHINTHANA WASALA THE PENINSULA Qatar is very excited to Reigning Asian champions Qatar host the FIFA Arab Cup will take on regional heavy- weights Iraq and two other qual- later this year. National ifiers in the group stage of the teams from across the inaugural FIFA Arab Cup 2021, region will have the the draw revealed yesterday. opportunity to participate The two Arab football giants have been drawn in Group A and in a high-profile will be joined by the winners of tournament which is sure two qualifying matches: Oman to capture the attention of vs Somalia and Bahrain vs fans everywhere. This is Kuwait in the December 1-18 tournament.. also an important step for FIFA’s Director of Competi- the national team’s tions, Manolo Zubiria conducted development and the yesterday’s draw in the presence entire country as we of FIFA legends Wael Gomaa (Egypt), Nawaf Al Temyat (Saudi fine-tune preparations for Arabia), Haytham Mustafa the FIFA World Cup in (Sudan) and Younus Mahmood 2022. (Iraq) at the Katara Opera House. A host of top officials, including the President of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Olympic Committee, H E Sheikh bin Ahmed Al Thani Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Pres- President, Qatar Football ident of Union of Arab Football Association Associations, HRH Prince A view of FIFA Arab Cup 2021 draw ceremony yesterday. Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for just numbers on paper. You need FIFA ARAB CUP Saudi Arabia's legend & Legacy, Hassan Al Thawadi, to prove it in the field. Hopefully, Nawaf Al Temyat picks FIFA President Gianni Infantino, we’re going to perform well and 2021 Qatar during the draw FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 we can show good performance. ceremony. This tournament will see Chief Executive Officer Nasser If we do that, it’s we have a QUALIFYING ROUND elite teams from across the Al Khater, President of the Qatar better chance to reach far. Which Arab world compete in a Football Association Sheikh will be good for us as we are (14 teams, 7 matches) Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed looking forward to the World Oman vs Somalia FIFA-sanctioned Al Thani and coaches of the par- Cup. So hopefully we’re going to Lebanon vs Djibouti tournament for the first ticipating teams were among the perform well and we can bring Jordan vs South Sudan time. A tournament of this guests at the spectacular draw some good results,” Sanchez Bahrain vs Kuwait magnitude – played exactly ceremony which was held under said. Mauritania vs Yemen strict COVID-19 protocols. FIFA President said last Palestine vs Comoros a year before the World Twenty three Arab nations night: “This will be a fantastic Libya vs Sudan Cup – is sure to excite our will compete in the event which event. The first of many, hope- football crazy region as we will kick off in December with fully. The first Arab Cup will be GROUPS continue preparations for the qualifying round. played here towards the end of GROUP A: Qatar, Iraq, Oman 2022. We look forward to Commenting on the draw, the year in Qatar. This event will or Somalia, Bahrain or Kuwait Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said be used to unite the Arab world. GROUP B: Tunisia, UAE, Syria, hosting the FIFA Arab Cup the home tournament is really Around 450 million people will Mauritania or Yemen and using the tournament important. cheer and cherish and will find GROUP C: Morocco, Saudi to confirm our plans for the “For us, it is an important out which out of the 23 teams is Arabia, Jordan or South Sudan, event because we can evaluate the best in the Arab world,” World Cup, which is just how we will perform at the Infantino said. Palestine or Comoros around the corner. GROUP D: World Cup next year,” Sanchez “Everything is almost ready Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon or Djibouti, Libya or said yesterday. in Qatar to host the Arab Cup and Hassan Al Thawadi “In my opinion, it is a strong the World Cup. Much more Sudan group though we have con- important is the celebration of Secretary General, Supreme firmed only one opponent. The Arab unity, a celebration of fra- tournament a highly competitive for us. The Confederations Cup was international tournaments this Committee for Delivery & other (possible) opponents ternity, a celebration of football one. always the main test event for year, the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 Legacy (Oman, Somalia, Bahrain or which will set the scene for what “The technical level of previous World Cups. For us, will see the seven qualifying Kuwait) we may face are also would be the best ever FIFA football in all the countries has this will be a 23 team tour- teams advancing to the group strong and hopefully we can World Cup in 2022 here in been improving the years. nament, 16 teams in the group stage where they will take on the perform well and qualify for the Qatar,” Infantino said. For us, what’s important is that stages. So it is a big tour- nine highest-ranked teams, semi-finals, third-place play- next round,” Sanchez added. Al Khater, CEO of Qatar 2022 this is going to be a successful nament and it is a big oppor- including Qatar. off and final. “If we want to be one of the accepted the fact that football in tournament from a technical tunity for the celebration of The four group winners The matches will take place favourites or to reach far in the the Arab region in general has perspective and from a foot- football in the Arab world,” Al and four group runners-up at six Qatar 2022 stadiums, with competition, we’ll have to prove reached a higher level and that balling perspective. Khater said. will proceed to the knockout the venues set to be confirmed on the pitch. These rankings are makes the FIFA Arab Cup “This is an important milestone One of the biggest stage: quarter-finals, in due course. Benzema stunner for Real frustrates impressive Chelsea

REUTERS — but could not break down Real and we must enjoy it. Cruyff's again and then had to withstand idea was like this." Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema some late pressure from the Cruyff, who created Barce- scored an acrobatic to hosts, who visit Stamford Bridge lona's "Dream Team" with cancel out an earlier strike from in the second leg on May 5 players such as Guardiola, led Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic as looking to reach the final for a them to their first European Cup yesterday’s Champions League fifth time in eight years. in 1992. semi-final first leg ended 1-1 to Meanwhile, Manchester City City last reached a semi- keep the tie delicately balanced. manager passed final in 2016 under Manuel Pel- Chelsea made a bright start on some simple advice to his legrini, when they were in heavy rain at the Alfredo di players from his late mentor knocked out by Real Madrid. Stefano Stadium and deservedly Johan Cruyff ahead of the first Guardiola is hoping to go one went ahead when US forward leg of their Champions League step further. Pulisic rounded Thibaut semi-final, away at Paris St City take on a PSG side Courtois to score in the 14th Germain tonight: Enjoy stacked with talent such as minute. yourselves. , Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid’s Thirteen times European "Enjoy the travel, the coffee Angel Di Maria leading the line Karim Cup winners Real looked ragged in the terminal, the night and and in midfield, Benzema and short on ideas but pulled the dinner, watching the other but Guardiola said he would not shoots level in the 29th with a moment semi-final, enjoy the press con- be changing their blueprint when at goal, of true class from the talismanic ference, the walk, the training," playing 's yesterday. Benzema, who controlled a Guardiola told reporters yes- side. knockdown on his chest before terday while describing Cruyff's "The best balance is to have volleying into the roof of the net. philosophy. the ball. If you have the ball all Chelsea looked the better "We are privileged to be one the time the balance is there," side in the second half as well of the best four teams in Europe Guardiola said. Sport WEDNESDAY 28 APRIL 2021 19 Qatar's Cherif, Ahmed win back-to-back silver in Cancun

Norway's Anders Mol and Christian Sorum celebrate after winning the FIVB World Tour Second Cancun Hub on Monday. It was their second FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour gold medal this month, following a win in the opening Cancun Hub tournament in which they Qatar’s Cherif Samba and Ahmed Tijan pose for a photograph after wining the silver medal after going down fighting in the final of the FIVB World defeated the Qatar's Cherif and Ahmed. The 23-year- Tour Second Cancun Hub event in Playa Delfines in Mexico, on Monday. In the gold medal match, Norway's Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, ranked old Mol and the 25-year-old Sorum won all 12 matches first in the world, defeated the Qatari duo 2-0 (21-18, 21-18) to take the title. CENTRE: Ahmed and Cherif with officials. they played over the last 10 days in Cancun.

PSG players attend Bangalore a training session. Wimbledon beat Delhi to become by one run 14-day to take lead tournament in IPL from 2022

AP — AHMEDABAD REUTERS – LONDON

Royal Challengers Bangalore The Wimbledon Champion- hung in against Shimron ships will become a 14-day Hetmyer and ’s tournament from 2022, with late charge to beat Delhi matches set to be played on Capitals by just one run and go Middle Sunday, traditionally a atop the Indian Premier day off at the grasscourt Grand League yesterday. Slam, the All England Lawn Bangalore’s fifth win in six Tennis Club (AELTC) said games took them to 10 points, yesterday. leaving Delhi and Chennai The first Sunday of Wim- Super Kings both at eight bledon is normally a rest day, points. on which tournament organ- Bangalore, which scored isers work to get the courts 171-5 on the back of AB de Vil- back into top shape for the liers’ electrifying unbeaten 75 latter rounds, resulting in a off 42 balls, had the game in packed “Manic Monday” control until the 17th over PSG keep their feet on the ground schedule. before Hetmyer brought Delhi “From 2022, to coincide back with some powerful with the centenary of centre hitting. court, Middle Sunday will Needing 46 off the last ahead of City clash: Pochettino become a permanent part of three overs, the West Indian the tournament schedule, left-hander blazed three sixes REUTERS – PARIS turning the Championships off to bring Mbappe fit into a 14-day event,” AELTC down the target to 25 runs Although Paris St Germain have chairman Ian Hewitt said. from two overs. knocked out and “Thanks to improved grass Although holders Bayern Munich, coach to face City court technology and mainte- conceded just one boundary, Mauricio Pochettino said his nance over the past five years... his penultimate over went for team would keep their feet on AP – PARIS we are comfortable that we 11 which left the ground when they face are able to look after the with 14 runs to defend in the Manchester City in their Cham- Kylian Mbappe has shaken off courts, most particularly last over. pions League semi-final first leg a minor thigh injury and is fit to centre court, without a full day Siraj made the task difficult today. play against Manchester City in of rest.” for Delhi by conceding four off With all his best players at the Champions League semi- Middle Sunday is also his first four balls before Delhi his disposal after finals today. known as People’s Sunday Pant’s back-to-back and Marco Verratti made their PSG Chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi and coach Mbappé came off with the because, on some occasions in boundaries could only take his return after missing most of the Mauricio Pochettino at Ooredoo Centre in injury near the end of PSG’s 3-1 the past, tickets have been team to 170-4. quarter-final clash against Paris yesterday. Pic: Twitter/PSG_English win at Metz in the French made available on general sale That left Hetmyer on his Bayern, PSG enter the tie full of league on Saturday, jeopard- on that day when rain delays knees in disappointment as the confidence, but also with izing his chances of playing in have resulted in matches being left-hander smashed an caution. members of the project but final against Bayern last year. the first leg at . postponed. unbeaten 53 off just 25 balls, “I think City are one of the none of that will matter at the “The club has grown, we are However, the 22-year-old In another massive change, but could face only a ball in greatest teams in the world with Parc des Princes today. now among the top four, five Mbappe will be in the squad for Wimbledon village restaurants, Siraj’s last over. Pant con- the best coach and it will be as “For me it’s a battle between or six teams across the the match against City, with PSG which host the world’s best sumed 48 balls for his tough as against Bayern at two big clubs, PSG and City,” leagues,” said Neymar, who coach Mauricio Pochettino players once a year, will be out- unbeaten 58 which featured least,” Pochettino told a news said Pochettino, who added he despite not scoring produced saying Tuesday that left back of-pocket as organisers have, in six boundaries. conference yesterday. had ‘nothing’ to take from 2019, a sterling performance in the and reserve goal- a break with long-held tradition, “The way Siraj started the “Tougher? We’ll see. We’re when he led Tottenham return leg against Bayern. keeper are banned players from renting last over, it gave us confi- confident but despite all the Hotspur past City in the “PSG now get the respect the only players missing. private houses near the grounds. dence,” Bangalore skipper theories the most important quarter-finals. they deserve. We have all the Mbappé, one of the world’s “The minimised risk envi- said. things will be the 180 minutes PSG had a reputation of qualities to put hour hands on most talented players, has ronment we created for the Earlier, Delhi had the on the pitch.” chokers after memorable the trophy.” scored eight goals in this sea- players is a requirement from strong Bangalore batting PSG, one of the teams who meltdowns in recent years, Neymar added that he was son’s Champions League - the government to bring ath- lineup in check at 139-5 until declined to take part in the but they are now in the semi- ‘the happiest’ at PSG since he second only to the 10 netted by letes without them going into the 18th over. failed Super League, face a club finals for the second year in a joined the club in 2017 from Borussia Dortmund striker quarantine upon entry into the Fast bowlers Avesh Khan who were one of the founding row, having also reached the Barcelona. Erling Haaland. UK,” AELTC chief executive (1-24) and Sally Bolton said. (1-26) bowled well upfront to “Players enjoy private dispatch opening pair of Kohli housing and we hope to bring (12) and (17). it back next year but it’s just But Pant’s decision to give ACL: Al Shorta edge Al Duhail 2-1 not possible this year.” The the 20th over rule applies even to British cost Delhi 23 crucial runs. De players such as Andy Murray, Villiers turned the tide in Ban- AFC — JEDDAH effort on the volley that nestled who lives near the grounds, galore’s favour as the experi- in the back of the net despite and instead will have to stay enced South African Iraq’s Al Shorta SC ended a goalkeeper Salah Zakaria’s des- on site this year. batsman smacked four-match losing run after perate attempt to parry it. The government has three sixes and in the process beating Qatar’s Al Duhail SC 2-1 Ismail Mohammad applied allowed 25% capacity at sports also completed 5,000 runs in on Matchday Five of the 2021 pressure and won the ball high arenas and AELTC hope that the IPL. AFC Champions League Group up the field before feeding his will be increased closer to the De Villiers, who came in C yesterday. Qatari international teammate Championships, before ticket the 9th over with the score at The result was a blow to Al Ali on the left flank and the Al sales and distribution are 60-3, scored bulk of the runs Duhail’s Round of 16 hopes, Duhail captain squared for finalised. Ticket prices will be and hit three fours and five with the Qatari side having Michael Olunga to sweep home the same as last year when the sixes in his second unbeaten entered the tie with an his eighth goal of the compe- tournament was cancelled due half century this season. unbeaten record as group tition, moving four goals clear to the COVID-19 pandemic leaders while Al Shorta - of his nearest chasers. and organisers said they would BRIEF SCORES already eliminated - were With just six minutes to go, wait until June before deciding looking for their first points of Al Shorta took the lead again on the prize pot. Royal Challengers Bangalore 171/5 in 20 the campaign. and did so in style. Wimbledon was the only overs (AB de Villiers 75 , R Patidar The Iraqi side started with Moroccan defender Medhi Action during Grand Slam cancelled last year 31, G Maxwell 25; A Khan 1/24, I Sharma a bang, taking the lead inside Benatia was sent off in the last the match and Hewitt said the tour- 1/26, A Mishra 1/27) vs three minutes after Fahad minutes of added time for a between Al nament had collected an 170/4 in 20 overs (R Pant 58 not out, S Youssef’s cross from the left second bookable offence, but it Duhail and insurance payout of £180m

Hetmyer 53 not out; H Patel 2/37, K Jamie- flank was deflected into the made no difference as the Al Shorta, ($250.15m), of which 36 son 1/32, M Siraj 1/44) path of the onrushing Amjad referee blew the final whistle yesterday. million pounds went to the Attwan, who hit a powerful seconds later. Lawn Tennis Association.